Chemotherapy

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. Chemotherapy has been used for many years and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments such as radiation or surgery. Often, a combination of chemotherapy drugs is used to fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy drugs may be given in a specific order depending on the type of cancer it is being used to treat.

While chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating certain cancers, chemotherapy drugs reach all parts of the body, not just the cancer cells. Because of this, there may be many side effects during treatment. Being able to anticipate these side effects can help you and your caregivers prepare and, in some cases, prevent these symptoms from occurring.

How is chemotherapy administered?

Chemotherapy can be given:

as a pill to swallow.

as an injection into the muscle or fat tissue.

intravenously (directly to the bloodstream; also called IV).

topically (applied to the skin)

directly into a body cavity

To reduce the damage to healthy cells and to give them a chance to recover, chemotherapy is usually given in cycles. Chemotherapy may be given daily, weekly, every few weeks, or monthly, depending on your specific situation.

Chemotherapy is usually given in an outpatient setting, such as a hospital, clinic, or physician’s office. Patients receiving chemotherapy will be watched for reactions during treatments. Since each chemotherapy treatment session may last for a while, patients are encouraged to take along something that is comforting, such as music to listen to. It is also recommended to bring something to help pass the time, such as a deck of cards or a book.

What are some of the chemotherapy drugs and their potential side effects?

There are over 50 chemotherapy drugs that are commonly used. The following table gives examples of some chemotherapy drugs and their various names. It lists some of the cancer types but not necessarily all of the cancers for which they are used, and describes various side effects. Side effects may occur just after treatment (days or weeks) or they may occur later (months or years) after the chemotherapy has been given. The side effects listed below do not comprise an all-inclusive list. Other side effects are possible.

As each person's individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is his/her reaction to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure to discuss with your cancer care team any/all possible side effects of treatment before the treatment begins.

Chemotherapy Drug

Possible Side Effects(Not all side effects are listed. Some of those listed may be short-term side effects; others are long-term side effects.)

carboplatin(Paraplatin)

usually given intravenously (IV)

used mainly for cancers of the ovary, head and neck, and lung

decrease in blood cell counts

hair loss (reversible)

confusion

nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (usually a short-term side effect occurring the first 24 to 72 hours following treatment)

cisplatin(Platinol, Platinol-AQ)

usually given intravenously (IV)

used mainly for cancers of the bladder, ovary, and testicles

decrease in blood cell counts

allergic reaction, including a rash and/or labored breathing (rare)

nausea and vomiting that usually occurs for 24 hours or longer

ringing in ears and hearing loss

fluctuations in blood electrolytes

kidney damage

cyclophosphamide(Cytoxan)

can be given intravenously (IV) or orally

used mainly for lymphoma, breast cancer, and ovarian carcinoma

decrease in blood cell counts

nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

decreased appetite

hair loss (reversible)

bladder damage

fertility impairment

lung or heart damage (with high doses)

secondary malignancies (rare)

docetaxel(Taxotere)

given intravenously (IV)

used mainly for breast cancer, lung, and prostate

decrease in blood cell counts

nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

diarrhea

decreased appetite

hair thinning

rash

numbness and tingling in hands and feet

doxorubicin(Adriamycin)

given intravenously (IV)

used mainly for breast cancer, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma

decrease in blood cell counts

mouth ulcers

hair loss (reversible)

nausea and vomiting

heart damage

erlotinib(Tarceva)

given orally

used mainly for non small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer

rash and other skin changes

diarrhea

fatigue

loss of appetite

etoposide(VePesid, VP-16)

can be given intravenously (IV) or orally

used mainly for cancers of the lung, testicles, leukemia, and lymphoma

decrease in blood cell counts

hair loss (reversible)

nausea and vomiting

allergic reaction(rare)

mouth ulcers

low blood pressure (during administration) (rare)

decreased appetite

diarrhea and abdominal pain

bronchospasm (rare)

flu-like symptoms (rare)

fluorouracil(5-FU)

given intravenously (IV)

used mainly for cancers of the colon, breast, stomach, and head and neck